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DPChallenge Forums >> Challenge Results >> Can anyone identify what this is?
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Showing posts 1 - 25 of 29, (reverse)
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 03/25/2009 12:08:14 AM · #1
216 voters did not know what this was. I entered it hoping to find out what it is. Perhaps someone who did not vote on this may recognize it. What little clues I have are in the image notes. Thanks.
03/25/2009 12:10:15 AM · #2
Some sort of crucible?

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
216 voters did not know what this was. I entered it hoping to find out what it is. Perhaps someone who did not vote on this may recognize it. What little clues I have are in the image notes. Thanks.
03/25/2009 12:26:14 AM · #3
It must be a plane. Looks a lot friendlier than the metal jobbies.
 03/25/2009 12:40:10 AM · #4
I would say looking at it, that the piece on the right is upside down, the curved part in the middle is meant to nest in the curved inside of the left piece, the gaps at the end look about right for a roll of 35mmish film. I would say a chemical was placed into the wood dish and a piece of film was pulled through it, the curve gently submersing the film in the center.

Just a wild guess there. :)
03/25/2009 12:48:57 AM · #5
Originally posted by togtog:
I would say looking at it, that the piece on the right is upside down, the curved part in the middle is meant to nest in the curved inside of the left piece.
'
That is correct, it also has notches so that when the lid is placed, there is a gap at the end. I wanted to make sure to show the structure inside the lid, so I photographed it upside down.

Originally posted by togtog:
the gaps at the end look about right for a roll of 35mmish film. I would say a chemical was placed into the wood dish and a piece of film was pulled through it, the curve gently submersing the film in the center.
Just a wild guess there. :)

That was what also what retiredphil thought. Probably the best idea so far. This is turning out to be a tough one.
 03/25/2009 01:06:56 AM · #6
you wedge the back of your foot into the part on the left. then you take the piece on the right and wedge it behind your heel in order to remove your shoe.
 03/25/2009 01:09:07 AM · #7
Originally posted by posthumous:
you wedge the back of your foot into the part on the left. then you take the piece on the right and wedge it behind your heel in order to remove your shoe.


Hmmm, the idea of a reverse shoehorn would be appropriate for me...
 03/25/2009 01:59:50 AM · #8
There is no other purpose it could be used for since the design is very specific, sadly google is crap these days. The only question is, how was it used in daily development and what did it contain. Because of the slots at the ends it is obviously whatever went into it was longer than the object, i.e. film. The indents in the curved piece suggest a desire for minimal contact with the strip while maintaining the overall shape. Those two small indents on the larger piece on the back (center, not on the edges) are stumping me and makes me wonder if another smaller piece is missing that fits into that maybe a brush or sponge. The application of a chemical in this manner is odd however since film could be dunked into a bucket much more effectively suggesting its use was on-the-fly. I wonder if the chemical used tended to evaporate quickly hence the tight fitting design with minimal gaps. I'm now thinking this isn't strictly photography as it could be for movie film which being very long would be best processed in this manner feeding from one spool to another.
 03/25/2009 02:28:42 AM · #9
Say, did someone carve these pieces out of an apple?
 03/25/2009 02:45:25 AM · #10
This is a grinder. You grind seeds in it, like black pepper and alike by moving (sliding) the top part forward and backward so the jagged part in the middle crushes “whatever” while moving it from the one compartment to the other.
 03/25/2009 09:33:27 AM · #11
Bump for the morning crowd. Anyone have any other ideas, or actually recognize this device?
 03/25/2009 10:45:49 AM · #12
Originally posted by togtog:
... the gaps at the end look about right for a roll of 35mmish film. I would say a chemical was placed into the wood dish and a piece of film was pulled through it, the curve gently submersing the film in the center.

I think that makes good sense -
 03/25/2009 11:12:39 AM · #13
I would put it near the front door and keep my keys and spare change in it.
 03/25/2009 11:15:36 AM · #14
Maybe someone created an abstract object with the sole intention of confusing people as to it's purpose at some point in the future lol
Now I'm tempted to craft some object and simply hide it away in the atic for future generations to speculate over hee hee

Hey why don't you suggest this as a challenge.
"Take a pic of something who's purpose is unclear" then invite commentors to speculate

Message edited by author 2009-03-25 11:17:33.
 03/25/2009 11:31:01 AM · #15
I don't know why it is wood. Perhaps it was made before there was plastic. If it is a photo thing, maybe it was used to develop prints by putting the exposed paper in it face down, close the lid, and rock the left end up and down to slosh the Dectol ( Pre digital Kodak software) across it. The lid would hold the paper against the curve, and the notches would keep the lid from sliding. A single print could be developed with very little chemical that way. A little black cloth glued on each end might keep the light out so that you could increase the light in the room while developing. Does it smell like developer or fixer if you scratch it?
03/25/2009 11:31:30 AM · #16
Originally posted by Lutchenko:
Hey why don't you suggest this as a challenge.

I think you just did.
 03/25/2009 11:33:05 AM · #17
It's a simple, portable, wooden roll-film developing machine. There were all kinds of these made back in the day. It looks to me like the cover piece is photographed reversed back-to-front, btw. Anyway you drop the roll in the slots, and pull the film through the tray; the "sprocket" projections make sure the film gets immersed.

Here's something from the same era, illustrated with a period engraving; scroll down on this page: developing machine.

I realize that's not the same thing, but it shows another in an almost endless spectrum of remarkable solutions to the development of film in the early days.

R.
 03/25/2009 11:56:31 AM · #18
I figured Robert would have a definitive answer.
03/25/2009 01:49:22 PM · #19
I think that pretty much nails it down. Robert seems certain, and it is in line with most of the other non-joke suggestions. Thanks to all who helped identify this thing for me!
 03/25/2009 03:20:41 PM · #20
Here's a slightly more modern plastic version of the same:

//glennview.com/jpgs/dkrm2/processing/yankee/big_2.jpg

It is described as "Yankee daylight adjustable cut film developing tank, adjustable for 4X5 and smaller films, daylight operation, instructions, NEW-IN-BOX, $50. There is a film loading guide. This will work as a clearing tank for Polaroid 3.25 X 4.25 film."

Message edited by author 2009-03-25 15:20:52.
 03/25/2009 04:00:32 PM · #21
That's not fair! Robert only knows because he's the only one here old enough to remember a time before cameras!

(running away now, calling over my shoulder, "awww, you knowww I'm joking, I wuv da Bear!")
 03/26/2009 02:57:32 PM · #22
I had another look at it this morning, and I am not sure it is wood. It looks like wood, but tapping on the surface, it feels and sounds more like a resin of some kind, and has what appears to me a molding nub on the bottom.
 03/26/2009 04:09:55 PM · #23
Originally posted by togtog:
The only question is,...... and what did it contain.


This is the easy part. It held the coffee and OJ used to develop the film.
 03/26/2009 09:42:37 PM · #24
Butter dish, with extra flavor.
You still have not given us the dimensions of the gadget. That may be the clue to what it was actually used for.
03/26/2009 09:48:55 PM · #25
Originally posted by BeeCee:
That's not fair! Robert only knows because he's the only one here old enough to remember a time before cameras!

(running away now, calling over my shoulder, "awww, you knowww I'm joking, I wuv da Bear!")


At least I'm the best at SOMETHING... I remember Leonardo and his camera obscura very well, I was a technical consultant. Little-known historical fact...

R.
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